# RESOLVED: Using the term "democrat party" should be a bannable offense **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 9, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174 "2020-09-09T14:50:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/122 "2020-09-17T19:27:26Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Most trolling is inconsequential, but we still frown on it here. And this isn’t even trolling. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > And I see people claiming not to understand after having it explained to them over and over again. Explanations that further buttress that there’s nothing to see here. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/123 "2020-09-17T19:35:23Z")
I think it is the childish “I’m not touching you! I’m not touching you!” attitude of those that pull this crap in the middle of adult discussions. If you want to insult someone in an obvious manner, it is only throwing salt on the wound to pretend that you don’t understand what the problem is. If you want to go the “democrat party” route, don’t pretend that you have _no idea whatsoever_ what the problem is and bat your eyes, because it is a little late in the game to pull that shit. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/124 "2020-09-17T19:49:12Z")
Except I’m in no way being insulted when they call the party I registered for a name. Or the city/state/country I live in, company I work for, etc. If they call **me** a DemonRat or something, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/125 "2020-09-17T19:52:52Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Except I’m in no way being insulted when they call the party I registered for a name Good for you. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/126 "2020-09-17T20:17:11Z")
I sort of understand why some people say that “Democrat Party” is trivial, low-level trolling that is best ignored. I don’t agree with that, but I understand it. At least the people saying that acknowledge that the phrase is _intended_ to be irritating. But putting your hands over your eyes and saying, “What trolling? I don’t see any trolling!” is taking things too far. It’s tantamount to playing along with the troll’s “it was just an innocent slip of the tongue” charade. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/127 "2020-09-17T22:48:33Z")
I’m with @Ruken on this. I just don’t GET it. And no amount of links or explanations seem to be able to make me shift. Essentially, because it is SO trivial, all of this “outrage” is really just feeding the trolls, and for what gain? ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/128 "2020-09-17T22:50:48Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Essentially, because it is SO trivial, all of this “outrage” is really just feeding the trolls, and for what gain? Calmly stated objections are not “outrage.” ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/129 "2020-09-17T22:56:09Z")
Yes, calling for “democrat party” to be a bannable offense is fairly calm and unassuming. Some folks are calm, some are way up in arms about it, and some of us… just don’t care. Typical democrats, three groups and five opinions 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/130 "2020-09-17T23:08:07Z")
**RESOLVED: Using the term “democrat party” should be a bannable offense** Absolutely. Banned at once. But…wait…_you_ used the term…oh dear… and I guess so did I…uh-oh. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/131 "2020-09-18T00:04:41Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Yes, calling for “democrat party” to be a bannable offense is fairly calm and unassuming. > > Some folks are calm, some are way up in arms about it, and some of us… just don’t care. I don’t think anybody here is “up in arms” about it. Only the OP proposed banning people for using the phrase, and he acknowledged that this was hyperbole and withdrew it. I’m simply suggesting that “Democrat Party” should be moderated like any other insult. If it’s being used to troll, then it should be moderated accordingly. There’s nothing radical or weird about this idea; it’s entirely consistent with the “don’t be a jerk” rule. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/132 "2020-09-18T01:13:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Absolutely. Banned at once. > > But…wait… _you_ used the term…oh dear… and I guess so did I…uh-oh. At least you didn’t say “Jehovah”. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/133 "2020-09-18T01:30:10Z")
Could we have a thread on that? So that I could jump in at the end and say that I don’t get it? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/134 "2020-09-18T02:41:56Z")
to all of you: > [@DrDeth](#): > > I am a lifelong Democrat. See, there is the nasty word. but it’s ok in that context, but not in the context of “democrat party”? Look, I know some Republicans use it, but more in the context of “demon-rat” . > > So, since we can hardly separate the two versions, I think we should just get over it. > > Now, if clearly used to troll, then report for trolling. If used outside a proper form, report. > > No, it should not be a bannable offense or even warnable, except in context. > [@WitnessMe](#): > > Seems to me to just be an easy contraction. I’ve never heard anyone in meatspace take offense to it, it’s just silly. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > Members of the democratic party are democrats, right? So why is it derogatory to refer to a group of democrats as a democratic party. > And, I’m honestly asking, I really don’t understand it? > [@Kron](#): > > I’m with @Ruken on this. I just don’t GET it. And no amount of links or explanations seem to be able to make me shift. > > Essentially, because it is SO trivial, all of this “outrage” is really just feeding the trolls, and for what gain? I am a Democrat. I’m a member of the Democratic Party. (Actually, I’m not, but I mostly align politically with the Democrats.) And I am offended by people referring to the “Democrat Party”. I’m also a Jew. And I’m happy to tell you that I am a Jew. But if you refer to me as a Jew poster, I’m going to be pissed, and might even report you for harassing me, especially if you keep it up after I ask you to stop. Feel free to call me a Jewish poster, at least if it’s relevant. There are a lot of “noun for person to diminish that kind of person” constructions in English. A “lady doctor” is belittling (for a female physician – I don’t think it’ offensive when describing a gynecologist). If you said “a Dane author” instead of “a Danish author” people would infer that you meant to be insulting. There’s plausible deniability because in a lot of cases the noun and the adjective are actually the same, but when they aren’t, you should use the adjective if your intention is to be polite. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/135 "2020-09-18T02:43:01Z")
(I am not arguing to ban every person who uses demeaning verbal constructions, just pointing out that “Democrat party” is grammatically insulting.) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/136 "2020-09-18T16:49:23Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > I don’t think anybody here is “up in arms” about it. Only the OP proposed banning people for using the phrase, and he acknowledged that this was hyperbole and withdrew it. Yes. But I will add, I think this has been an interesting thread (if I do say so myself). ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/137 "2020-09-19T14:45:15Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > It’s trolling, pure and simple. It’s ignorant and juvenile beneath the dignity of posters here. It’s obnoxious. Do you also feel the same way about posters who say things like “Republicant” or Repugs, or similar. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/138 "2020-09-19T15:35:29Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Do you also feel the same way about posters who say things like “Republicant” or Repugs, or similar. Yes. ( I don’t recall doing that,and I hope that I have not. But I have probably done things I’m not proud of here over the years) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/139 "2020-09-19T16:27:09Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Do you also feel the same way about posters who say things like “Republicant” or Repugs, or similar That’s trolling, too, and really shouldn’t be done out of the BBQ Pit in my opinion. The difference, which has been brought up so many times I find it difficult to believe one has missed it, is the adding of the affectation that no malice whatsoever is meant by saying “democrat party”-that it isn’t meant to be insulting at all. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/140 "2020-09-19T17:35:29Z")
I think I called it the Democrat Party once here because I read on one of those little known fact sites that that is the real name of the party. It made sense as republicans form the Republican Party the democrats for the Democrat Party. That’ll teach me to believe everything I read on the web. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174/141 "2020-09-19T17:43:14Z")
You can’t really ban someone for trolling if they’re not consciously doing it. People who say “Democrat Party” have no self-awareness or reflective capacity, they have no idea what they’re doing or what it means. You cannot try them as adults. However I would fully support banning anybody who misspells a president’s name like it’s some kind of epic fucking own. Global search-and-ban on the terms like “tRump”, “Drumpf”, “0bama” , or “Obummer”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-using-the-term-democrat-party-should-be-a-bannable-offense/920174.md?page=8)